The San Diego Chargers are unbeaten at Qualcomm Stadium this year. They have yet to win a game on the road.

After practicing in Foxboro on Friday, the New England Patriots boarded a west-bound plane, the team’s normal traveling day moved up 24 hours for the flight three time zones away.

“They’re a great home team,” Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo said. “(They’ve) had two big wins at home. So we have to go into a hostile environment.”

Qualcomm Stadium hasn’t been kind to visitors this season, the Chargers outscoring the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals by a combined total of 79-23 in the two games they’ve played there.

On the other hand, road trips to Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland and St. Louis have produced four losses by a running score of 103-78.

The Chargers have won their last seven regular-season games at Qualcomm. A win over the Patriots would pull them to within two of their franchise-record 10 straight wins at home in 1978-1979.

According to Tom Brady, the Patriots must prepare themselves for the Chargers’ Sunday best.

“I think that certain teams play differently at home than they do on the road,” the quarterback said. “They’re 2-0 at home and 0-4 on the road. We’re playing them at home, so I'm sure we’re going to get their best.”

Aches and pains: Although Antonio Gates missed the entire week of practice, “the smart guess” according to the San Diego Union-Tribune is that the six-time Pro Bowl tight end will play on Sunday.

Gates, who is nursing a toe injury, is listed as questionable for the game.

There is more concern about the physical conditions of wide receivers Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee, both of whom are nursing strained hamstrings and listed as doubtful after failing to participate in practice.

Linebacker Larry English (foot) and place-kicker Nate Kaeding (groin) have been ruled out of the game.

Linebacker Kion Wilson (ankle), like Gates, is questionable, while wide receiver Buster Davis (ribs) and running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) are probable for San Diego.

The Patriots have declared safety Jarrad Page (calf) and running back Fred Taylor (toe) out of the game.